Believe it or not, the college football season is already halfway over, and the recruiting world is heating up faster than ever. With Week 8 upon us and the early signing period just around the corner on December 3, the pressure is on for every program to finalize their 2026 classes. But here’s where it gets really interesting: the recent shake-ups in coaching staffs have left some of the nation’s top prospects reevaluating their commitments, creating a ripple effect that could reshape the recruiting landscape. And this is the part most people miss—the uncommitted players who are now at the center of this storm.
One program under the microscope? Penn State. Following James Franklin’s unexpected firing, the Nittany Lions’ recruits have been forced to make tough decisions. Some remain verbally committed but are exploring other options, while three have officially decommitted. This raises a bold question: Could Penn State’s loss be another program’s gain? Let’s dive into the 10 most intriguing uncommitted prospects in the 2026 class, starting with a recent Penn State decommit who’s now the highest-ranked free agent on the board.
Editor’s Note: All rankings are based on the 247Sports Composite.
- Davion Brown, 4-star WR High School: Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal School Ranking: No. 173 nationally, No. 25 WR
Brown’s decommitment from Penn State has sent shockwaves through the recruiting world. With offers from West Virginia, Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Georgia, and Michigan, he’s a hot commodity. But here’s the twist: Michigan commit Savion Hiter, a fellow Virginia native, is publicly campaigning for Brown to join him in Ann Arbor. Will Brown listen to his hometown peer, or will another program swoop in? Time will tell.
- Milan Parris, 4-star WR High School: Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio) Walsh Jesuit Ranking: No. 221 nationally, No. 37 WR
Parris initially committed to Iowa State in January, but his stock has skyrocketed since. After decommitting from the Cyclones, he’s racked up offers from Illinois, Miami, Auburn, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Nebraska, and Oregon. The controversy here?: Parris recently visited Oregon and Oklahoma, but he’s also expected to check out Miami. Which program will win this high-stakes battle?
- Duyon Forkpa Jr., 4-star LB High School: Baltimore St. Frances Ranking: No. 226 nationally, No. 11 LB
Forkpa has been playing his cards close to the vest, delaying his commitment after initially narrowing his list to Florida State, Michigan, Miami, and Florida. He’s visited Missouri, Maryland, and is headed back to Gainesville this week. The question on everyone’s mind: Will he finally pull the trigger, or is there a surprise contender waiting in the wings?
- Tyren Wortham, 4-star WR High School: Sarasota (Fla.) Booker Ranking: No. 247 nationally, No. 40 WR
Wortham’s decommitment from Michigan State has opened the floodgates. With a reported offer from Penn State and a visit to Auburn this weekend, he’s a prime target for programs looking to make a splash. But here’s the kicker: Auburn’s game against No. 16 Missouri could be a turning point for both Wortham and the Tigers.
- Braylon Hodge, 4-star LB High School: Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek Ranking: No. 274 nationally, No. 18 LB
Hodge’s decommitment from Michigan State dealt another blow to the Spartans. As Colorado’s top prospect, he’s now focusing on Michigan, Oregon, and Texas. The bold prediction: Michigan might need him the most, but Texas could be the dark horse here. Where will he land?
- Thomas Wilder, 4-star OT High School: Virginia Beach (Va.) Green Run Ranking: No. 331 nationally, No. 33 OT
Wilder’s decommitment from Virginia Tech coincided with the firing of coach Brent Pry. With offers from Purdue and Temple, he’s weighing his options. The intriguing part?: Will Virginia Tech’s new coach convince him to return, or will he start fresh with another program?
- Jayvon Gilmore, 3-star QB High School: Gaffney (S.C.) High Ranking: No. 464 nationally, No. 31 QB
As the highest-ranked uncommitted quarterback, Gilmore’s situation is fascinating. After decommitting from Arkansas, he’s received offers from Tulane, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Southern Miss, and Arizona. The counterpoint: With most teams already having a quarterback commit, Gilmore’s options are limited. But his talent could still land him in a prime spot.
- Dre Quinn, 4-star edge High School: Buford (Ga.) High Ranking: No. 396 nationally, No. 35 edge
Quinn’s decommitment from Clemson has opened the door for several powerhouse programs. Ohio State, Miami, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia Tech are all in the mix. The controversial question: Could Georgia Tech’s Brent Key convince Quinn to stay in-state and boost the Yellow Jackets’ momentum?
- Anthony Jones, 3-star DL High School: Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran Ranking: No. 557 nationally, No. 68 DL
Don’t let his ranking fool you—Jones has Power 4 potential. After decommitting from UCLA, he’s a late-cycle gem for programs needing defensive line depth. The overlooked angle: Could he follow in the footsteps of other under-ranked players who became impact contributors?
- Dveyoun Bonwell-Witte, 3-star WR High School: Sioux Falls (S.D.) Washington Ranking: No. 843 nationally, No. 115 WR
Bonwell-Witte’s decommitment from Nebraska has left his future uncertain. A season-ending injury last year hasn’t helped, but he’s showing promise this season. The final thought: As an under-the-radar prospect, where will he end up? And which program will take a chance on his untapped potential?
Now it’s your turn: Which of these prospects do you think will make the biggest impact? And which program do you think will land the most game-changing recruit? Let’s debate in the comments!
